1Formulas and methods
Biology for nursing entrance exams
Method
- Name the topic of the question: cell parts, transport, division, DNA and protein synthesis, inheritance, biomolecules, microorganisms or experimental design.
- Recall the key rule: A–T and G–C, diffusion from high to low, water moves towards more solute, mitosis keeps and meiosis halves the chromosome number.
- For crosses, write the parents’ genotypes, list the gametes and fill a Punnett square before counting.
- For experiments, label the independent, dependent and controlled variables, and ask whether the evidence supports or only suggests the conclusion.
- Check each option against the question asked, not just whether it is a true statement.
Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Method
- Identify what is given and asked: particles, a formula, a state change, a concentration, a pH or a mass.
- Use the periodic table: the atomic number gives protons, the group gives valence electrons and the usual ion charge.
- Balance equations with coefficients only, element by element, oxygen and hydrogen last.
- For amounts, go mass → moles → mole ratio → moles → mass, and for solutions use M = mol/L and C₁V₁ = C₂V₂.
- Remember that pH is logarithmic: one unit is a factor of 10.
2Practice problems
1.Human anatomyMedium
Which bone of the skull contains the foramen magnum?
- ATemporal bone
- BSphenoid bone
- COccipital bone
- DParietal bone
2.Human anatomyHard
In which part of the small intestine are vitamin B12 and bile salts mainly absorbed?
- ADuodenum
- BJejunum
- CTerminal ileum
- DCaecum
3.Human physiologyMedium
Which ion enters the cell to cause the depolarisation phase of a typical neuronal action potential?
- ACalcium (Ca²⁺)
- BChloride (Cl⁻)
- CPotassium (K⁺)
- DSodium (Na⁺)
4.Human physiologyHard
Which transporter in the thick ascending limb of the loop of Henle is key to building the medullary concentration gradient?
- AThe sodium–glucose cotransporter (SGLT2)
- BThe Na⁺–K⁺–2Cl⁻ cotransporter (NKCC2)
- CAquaporin-2 water channels
- DThe epithelial sodium channel (ENaC)
5.Biology for nursing entrance examsMedium
Why does each type of virus infect only certain kinds of cells?
- AIt can only enter cells that are dividing by meiosis at that time
- BIt can only enter cells that have no nucleus
- CIt must find cells with the same DNA as its own
- DIt must attach to specific receptor proteins on the cell surface
6.Biology for nursing entrance examsHard
Why do cells get far more ATP from glucose when oxygen is present than when it is absent?
- AWithout oxygen only glycolysis runs, giving a net of 2 ATP per glucose
- BWithout oxygen the Krebs cycle runs faster but makes less ATP
- COxygen itself is converted into ATP in the mitochondria
- DWithout oxygen, glucose cannot enter the cell or be broken down at all
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsMedium
Which substance is oxidised in the reaction 2Mg + O₂ → 2MgO?
- AOxygen, because it loses electrons
- BMagnesium, because it loses electrons
- CNeither substance changes its charge
- DMagnesium, because it gains electrons
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance examsHard
Why is gamma radiation used to sterilise sealed medical supplies such as syringes?
- AIt passes through the packaging and kills microbes without making the items radioactive
- BIt adds a protective chemical coating to the items
- CIt heats the items to very high temperatures, so the microbes are burned away inside the pack
- DIt is stopped by the packaging, so it only cleans the outside
3Solutions
1.Human anatomy
Answer: C · Occipital bone
Why this is the answer
The foramen magnum is a large opening in the occipital bone through which the medulla oblongata continues as the spinal cord.
2.Human anatomy
Answer: C · Terminal ileum
Why this is the answer
The terminal ileum absorbs vitamin B12 (bound to intrinsic factor) and reabsorbs bile salts. The duodenum mainly absorbs iron.
3.Human physiology
Answer: D · Sodium (Na⁺)
Why this is the answer
Voltage-gated Na⁺ channels open and Na⁺ rushes in, depolarising the membrane. K⁺ outflow then repolarises it.
4.Human physiology
Answer: B · The Na⁺–K⁺–2Cl⁻ cotransporter (NKCC2)
Why this is the answer
NKCC2 moves Na⁺, K⁺ and Cl⁻ out of the tubule into the interstitium without water, building the medullary gradient. Loop diuretics such as furosemide block it.
B · The Na⁺–K⁺–2Cl⁻ cotransporter (NKCC2)
5.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: D · It must attach to specific receptor proteins on the cell surface
Why this is the answer
Viral surface proteins bind to particular receptor molecules on host cells. Only cells with the right receptors can be infected; for example, HIV binds the CD4 protein on helper T cells.
D · It must attach to specific receptor proteins on the cell surface
6.Biology for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · Without oxygen only glycolysis runs, giving a net of 2 ATP per glucose
Why this is the answer
Glycolysis gives a net of 2 ATP. With oxygen, pyruvate is fully oxidised in the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain, which make many more ATP. Without oxygen these stages stop, and fermentation only recycles NAD⁺ so that glycolysis can continue.
A · Without oxygen only glycolysis runs, giving a net of 2 ATP per glucose
7.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: B · Magnesium, because it loses electrons
Why this is the answer
Oxidation is loss of electrons: Mg → Mg²⁺ + 2e⁻. Oxygen gains those electrons and is reduced.
B · Magnesium, because it loses electrons
8.Chemistry for nursing entrance exams
Answer: A · It passes through the packaging and kills microbes without making the items radioactive
Why this is the answer
Gamma rays penetrate plastic packaging and damage the DNA of microbes, killing them. Items can be sterilised after sealing, and exposure to gamma rays does not make them radioactive.
A · It passes through the packaging and kills microbes without making the items radioactive
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